Being the First: Seanika Mathis

Anchored in Identity: Susan Casper

In this episode of Blackness, Zion Kanyana sits down with Susan Casper, an award-winning television journalist and longtime media leader at Arizona's Family, to reflect on her three decade career through the lens of being a Black woman in broadcast news. Casper shares how she refused to enter the industry boxed in by labels, choosing instead to see herself first as the best storyteller in the room. From an unexpected start as a weather anchor to leading impactful stories in major markets, she explains how excellence, preparation, and authenticity shaped her path. She opens up about navigating newsroom politics, standing firm in her voice, mentoring young journalists, and pitching stories that center perspectives often overlooked. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful message about Blackness as excellence, responsibility, and legacy. Casper speaks candidly about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before her, the importance of protecting journalism’s integrity, and why young professionals must remain rooted in who they are while refusing to limit themselves. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hustle Speaks Louder than Words: Shannon Forman II

This week on “Blackness?” I sit down with Shannon Forman, a former ASU football player, coach, and founder of TFLDL Training, to discuss what it truly means to persevere when the lights fade and the crowd is gone. Shannon shares how moving from Louisiana to Arizona brought challenges he didn’t expect and growth he didn’t know he needed. He reflects on his time as a player, the shift into coaching, and how building his own football development program became a way to give back and build forward. This episode is about grit. It’s about growth. And it’s about the work we do when no one’s watching, the kind of hustle that speaks for us louder than any words ever could. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Bigger Boy by Nature: Tobi Aluko

In this episode, Tobi Aluko shares what it means to move through the world as a creative, student, and leader while unapologetically Black. We talk about breaking free from the pressure to fit into a single mold, the intersections of art and identity, and how he’s building community through Culture Kitchen AZ. It’s a conversation about self-definition, staying grounded, and choosing authenticity every time.   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Forged by Action, Not Perception : Dr. Battinto Batts

In this episode, we interview Dr. Battinto Batts, the Dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. As a trailblazing Black leader in the media industry, Dr. Bats shares his unique perspective on navigating identity, representation, and breaking down societal barriers through tangible action and authenticity. Dr. Batts emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, pursuing excellence, and rejecting the limiting "boxes" that often constrain how Blackness is perceived.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Being the First: Seanika Mathis

In this episode, Seanika Mathis, president of ASU's undergraduate student government, joins the conversation. The discussion highlights her experiences as a Black woman in student leadership and the challenges of navigating predominantly white spaces, The discussion delves into her experiences as a Black woman in a prominent leadership role, unpacking the challenges and triumphs of navigating predominantly white spaces while staying true to herself. Seanika shares candid insights on the dual expectations placed on Black women, the importance of representation, and how her identity shapes her leadership style. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.